BA (Hons) Games Development

• Games culture and practice  
• Game design fundamentals  
• Concepting and ideation  
• Prototyping and iteration  
• Character and environment design (3D)  
• Game engines, tools, and visual scripting  
• Development cycles and production workflows  
• Production methodologies (Scrum, Lean, Waterfall)  
• Collaborative studio practice 

If you are studying the BSc (Hons) Games Development with Integrated Foundation Year version of this course, key topics of your integrated foundation year will include:

• Understanding how graphical computer outputs are generated, interpreted, and utilized in digital systems
• Applying planning, time management, and structured production methods to achieve successful software and hardware outcomes
• Developing responsible and accountable technical workflows in creative computing
• Analyzing complex problems, formulating strategic approaches, implementing solutions, and critically evaluating results
• Experimenting with physical computing, graphical interfaces, and software tools to explore creative and technical possibilities
• Demonstrating and understanding of the historical development, impact, and limitations of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Gaining foundational knowledge of programming concepts, including functions, arrays, objects, and event-driven programming

If you choose to add an Integrated Foundation Year on this course, you will be first introduced to the fundamental principles of games development, animation and illustration. Your foundation year gives you the time, space and support to explore your strengths, build confidence and prepare for the demands of project-based, industry-focused learning. Modules are as follows:

• Module 1: Diagnostic exploration - making informed choices
• Module 2: Technical - Technical knowledge in practice
• Module 3: Specialist - Innovating specialist practice
• Module 4: Integration - Integrated practice for progression to Higher Education

Please note: Students starting this course with the Integrated Foundation Year in September 2026/27 will study the 2027/28 approved modules in Years 1, 2 and 3.

Year 1

Students are introduced to the fundamentals of game development, focusing on design-led practices such as 3D modelling, environment creation, lighting, prototyping, and character design and development. Alongside this, they engage with visual scripting using real-time engines to support interactive development. 

Throughout the year, they learn industry practices and conventions, alongside the personal and professional skills required for success both at university and in the workplace.

Modules include:

• Engines and Pipelines 
• Programming 1 (Visual Scripting) 
• Design of Play 
• Environments and Levels 
• Professional Life Practice: Developing your Practice 
• Professional Life Practice: Exploring your Practice

Year 2

Progressing from the foundational skills of games development, Year 2 focuses on developing more advanced and specialised technical and creative practices across a range of game development contexts. 

Students will build on their existing skills, refining and gaining confidence in areas such as character design, environment creation, and narrative development, while working collaboratively with peers and engaging with industry-informed and interdisciplinary projects. 

Modules include:

• Narrative and Play 
• Character Design for Games
• Games Studio
• Professional Life Practice: Applying your Practice
• Work-based learning

Year 3

In their final year, students undertake a significant and sustained individual development project, bringing together the knowledge and skills developed throughout the course.

The focus is on deepening specialisation, developing advanced skills, and exploring wider creative and professional opportunities. By the end of the year, students will have a strong portfolio of work that supports their career goals and prepares them to take the next steps into the games industry.

Modules include:

• Pre-production
• Production
• Professional Life Practice: Situating your Practice
• Post-production

Year 1

Build a strong technical foundation in games development[JG1] [HA2] , computer systems and core mathematics for interactive game development.

 [JG1]Should this be "games development" as it is on-site currently? Not sure of rationale to change it to programming

 [HA2]true - wanted to avoid word repetition but you're right!

Modules may include:

• Rave Beginnings in Games
• Computer Systems
• Software Development 1
• Mathematics for Games
• Working in Games
• Game Software Development

Year 2

Deepen your programming expertise across graphics algorithms, artificial intelligence and collaborative team development in a simulated studio environment.

Modules may include:

• Software Development 2
• Algorithms
• Computer Graphics
• Artificial Intelligence
• Games Studio Culture
• Game Team Project

Year 3

Master game physics, performance optimisation and complex software engineering and build an advanced portfolio to launch your technical career.

Modules may include:

• Game Physics
• Game Performance
• Games Studio Project
• Game Engineering
• Final Major Project

All modules are subject to revalidation.

A variety of learning and teaching methods are employed in this course. 

These include but are not limited to;

Lectures, seminars, practical workshops, studio-based project work, demonstrations, collaborative activities, group discussions, individual and group tutorials, critiques, presentations, playtesting sessions, industry-informed briefs, external visits and self-directed independent study.

The course is assessed entirely by coursework.

Study hours

BSc (Hons) Games Development with Integrated Foundation Year

• 1152 hours of face-to-face taught
• 3648 hours independent study learning

BA (Hons) Games Development

• 864 hours of face-to-face taught
• 2736 hours independent study learning

£200 per year for travel to optional industry visits, events and exhibitions, as well as occasional project consumables or presentation materials. Costs may vary depending on the activity and location. 

Students are strongly recommended to have access to a personal laptop suitable for game-development software. If purchasing a new laptop, an indicative one-off budget of approximately £800–£1,500 is recommended, ideally at the start of Year 1. Shared specialist computers and relevant software are available on campus.

Our campus 

You'll study in a building designed to encourage collaboration between the different disciplines and practices within Ravensbourne, and to stimulate the work of innovative professionals and creative collaboration.

It features a variety of workspaces, including social and quiet areas, high-tech creative suites, technology hubs, design studios and more. 

Want to see where you'd be studying up close? When you book a guided building tour, you can see our fantastic facilities for yourself and find out more from one of our helpful student ambassadors.

Our local area

Ravensbourne is ideally connected - North Greenwich station is just a 2-minute walk away from our campus and offers amazing views from the Greenwich Peninsula.

These transport links offer an easy route to some of London's major business hubs, perfect for reaching possible placements or networking events with employers in the worlds of business or technology.  

At Ravensbourne we accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English and Maths in addition to any of the below;

• Three A Levels at grade BBC or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade DMM
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
• T Level (pass or above)
• Access to Higher Education Diploma
• International Baccalaureate at grade 24 or above
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 112 UCAS Tariff points

Interview and portfolio requirements

Please note that a portfolio is not usually a requirement for this course. However, we may still ask you for one if you have not met the entry requirements for the course or if your educational background is in a very different subject.

If you do submit a portfolio you are required to upload no more than 10 pieces of work to a blog or microsite.

• A piece of work can be:
• A game idea or paper prototype of a game
• A level idea for a game that already exists or one of your own game designs
• A concept piece, which could be of an environment or character design
• Video of any playable prototypes you have created in game software such as Unity, Game Studio 2.0
• Any personal work representing design, drawing, colour and research

Reports from play sessions where you look at how a game was played by multiple participants and which mechanics worked best 3D work (a single model, an environment or samples of texturing and lighting skills). If you feel other work is suitable such as photography or model making then please feel free to add it if it is relevant to game design.

The blog

The blog should be something easy to set up and access. Tumblr is quick and easy to get up and running. You can also use an existing blog you have.

Things to remember:

• You'll need an existing email address to set up your account on the blogging service#
• Create a simple URL
• Make sure you remember the password and URL for your blog just in case we have any issues accessing it
• It's your responsibility to make sure the site is not password protected and we can access it with no issues

This page offers great tips for completing your portfolio/showreel.

At Ravensbourne we accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English and Maths in addition to any of the below:

• Two A Levels at grade DD or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade PPP
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
• T Level (pass or above)
• Access to Higher Education Diploma
• International Baccalaureate at grade 24 or above
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 48 UCAS Tariff points

Interview and portfolio requirements

There are no interview or portfolio requirement for this course.